Juneteenth is the oldest internationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States of America. Tracing back to Galveston, Texas, when Union General Gordon Granger and his troops enforced the Emancipation Proclamation and freed all remaining slaves in Texas on June 19, 1865, it wasn’t until 2021 that Juneteenth became a federal U.S. holiday.
The lesson shared here from Karlos K. Hill and Soraya Field Fiorio, directed by Rémi Cans of Atypicalist and presented by TED-Ed, tells us this: “Today, Juneteenth holds profound significance as a celebration of the demise of slavery, the righteous pursuit of true freedom for all, and a continued pledge to remember the past and dream the future.” View their full lesson here.
Looking for America’s best Juneteenth celebrations this year? Thrillist has you covered: Where to Celebrate Juneteenth Around the Country This Year
